Bay Harbour: April 03, 2024
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
18 <strong>Bay</strong> <strong>Harbour</strong> News Wednesday <strong>April</strong> 3 <strong>2024</strong><br />
Classy, quality European feel to Amarok<br />
MEET THE Volkswagen<br />
Amarok, the German sibling of<br />
the latest Ford Ranger and an<br />
interesting alternative to one of<br />
our best selling Utes.<br />
This model sharing arrangement<br />
between two of the heavy<br />
hitters of the car world – one<br />
from North America the other<br />
Europe – is an interesting alliance<br />
and precursor to other<br />
models expected to spawn.<br />
The current all-conquering<br />
third generation Ranger current<br />
is armed with something for everyone,<br />
with a 15 strong line-up,<br />
comprising 2WD and 4WD versions,<br />
and the choice of single,<br />
super, and double cab body<br />
styles. By contrast the Amarok<br />
is more of a niche market dabbler<br />
operating off the back of a<br />
modest four-model line-up, all<br />
doubles cabs and 4WD. Prices<br />
start at $65,000 for the Life and<br />
peak at $90,000 for the Aventura<br />
V6 turbo diesel.<br />
Conceived and designed in<br />
Germany and Australia, the<br />
new Amarok is battle-hardened<br />
to meet the challenging roads,<br />
terrain and climates both here<br />
and across the Tasman. All<br />
models have impeccable safety<br />
Motoring with Bob Nettleton<br />
credentials and are armed with<br />
maximum 5 Star ANCAP safety<br />
ratings.<br />
Even the price leading $65,000<br />
Life is an attractive package,<br />
powered, albeit meekly, by a<br />
2.0L 125kW turbo diesel that<br />
develops 405Nm of torque and<br />
is hitched to a 6-speed automatic.<br />
With 17” alloy wheels,<br />
rear mechanical differential<br />
lock, LED headlights, heated<br />
exterior mirrors, multifunction<br />
leather steering wheel and<br />
12” touchscreen infotainment,<br />
there’s nothing budget about this<br />
member of the Amarok family,<br />
apart from its price. Safety is<br />
up to the mark with Lane Keep<br />
Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, Traffic<br />
Sign Recognition, Adaptive<br />
Cruise Control and Autonomous<br />
Emergency Braking.<br />
There are high expectations in<br />
the Volkswagen camp around the<br />
$75,000 Style with a 2.0L 154kW<br />
500Nm diesel engine plucked<br />
straight from the Ford Ranger<br />
parts bin. It’s nicely appointed<br />
with 18” alloy wheels, LED Matrix<br />
headlights, 12” touchscreen<br />
infotainment, ambient lighting,<br />
and keyless entry and remote<br />
start. There’s a nice bonus for all<br />
Amarok owners in the form of<br />
a standard across-the-range tow<br />
bar.<br />
The high spec $88,000 Amarok<br />
Pan Americana being reviewed<br />
here has a stronger off-road bias.<br />
If you need a large combative<br />
and capable Ute in most terrain,<br />
this one fits the bill with its lusty<br />
V6 diesel. Features include exclusive<br />
black 18" alloy wheels shod<br />
with all-terrain tyres, heated<br />
leather seats, and a 12” touchscreen<br />
infotainment system. The<br />
driving assistance package offers<br />
Park Assist and Intelligent Adaptive<br />
Cruise control, among other<br />
things,.<br />
The sophisticated, confident<br />
urban orientated Aventura that<br />
shares the turbo V6 diesel is an<br />
attention grabber with 20" alloy<br />
wheels, exterior chrome styling<br />
accents, and body-coloured<br />
sports bar. Among a raft of new<br />
driver assistance features there’s<br />
an excellent Area View Camera.<br />
The Pan Americana packs<br />
plenty of punch with a muscular<br />
3.0L 184kW V6 turbo diesel<br />
packing a mighty 600Nm of<br />
torque, but it isn’t squeaky green<br />
enough to dodge the government’s<br />
maximum $6,900 clean<br />
vehicle fee. It’s fitted with a<br />
full-time 4WD system with six<br />
selectable drive modes, Normal,<br />
Eco, Tow/Haul, Slippery for onroad,<br />
and Mud/Ruts and Sand<br />
for off-road. Tow/Haul mode<br />
cleverly manipulates gearshift<br />
timing to maintain power for hill<br />
Rating out of 10: Performance 8, Handling 8, Build Quality<br />
7, Comfort 7, Passenger and Load Space 8, Avg consumption<br />
on road test 11.6L/100km, Value for money 7, Safety<br />
– Five Star ANCAP crash rating, clean car fee $6,900. Overall<br />
points out of 10: 8<br />
climbing, or the right measure of<br />
engine braking on downhill gradients.<br />
Maximum braked towing<br />
is a useful 3,500 kg.<br />
The V6 turbo diesel lifts the<br />
performance bar for its class to<br />
new lofty heights, with a clever<br />
by-pass set-up for power allows<br />
the turbochargers to work at<br />
lower engine speeds for increased<br />
responsiveness. Alternatively<br />
the smaller turbo can<br />
be bypassed allowing the larger<br />
one to blow into action to deliver<br />
greater power.<br />
This is just some of the ‘behind<br />
the scenes’ technical magic<br />
that conjures up such an ultra<br />
smooth and responsive motor<br />
delivering a memorable on- and<br />
off-road driving experience.<br />
What ever is thrown its way is<br />
dealt with effortlessly like few<br />
other diesel Utes I’ve driven.<br />
This is the sparkling jewel in<br />
the Amarok crown. What really<br />
stands out about this engine is<br />
its silent running characteristics,<br />
a remarkable engineering feat<br />
given diesels are noisy by nature.<br />
The 10-speed automatic is the<br />
perfect match for this strong and<br />
more vibrant V6, with its quick<br />
and intuitive gear changes.<br />
The well-appointed and finished<br />
passenger compartment is<br />
noticeably larger than its aging<br />
predecessor, with the biggest<br />
and soon to be most appreciated<br />
improvement is the amount of<br />
additional rear leg and headroom.<br />
There’s a classy, modern<br />
and quality European feel that<br />
permeates into almost every corner<br />
of the test Ute. This gives the<br />
Volkswagen an important point<br />
of difference over its blue-ovalbadged<br />
sibling. The car is put<br />
together with careful attention;<br />
exactly what you would expect<br />
from a vehicle sporting the name<br />
plate of one of Europe’s biggest<br />
vehicle manufacturers. Nice incabin<br />
touches include wireless<br />
phone charging and an 8 Way<br />
Driver Power seat.<br />
An on-demand 4WD system<br />
allows the vehicle to be driven<br />
in four-wheel drive on hightraction<br />
surfaces via its 4A<br />
automatic mode. When engaged,<br />
it continuously and seamlessly<br />
distributes power between the<br />
front and rear axles for the best<br />
performance in all conditions.<br />
The way this sizeable Ute glides<br />
through corners with poise and<br />
balance is a credit to the team<br />
who designed and developed<br />
it. Ride comfort is outstanding<br />
both on road and off the beaten<br />
track. During my limited off<br />
road excursions, the test vehicle<br />
was surprisingly at ease and took<br />
every opportunity to show off its<br />
formidable 4WD abilities. This is<br />
a more than worthy replacement<br />
for the outgoing Amarok.<br />
It’s a huge step forward, thanks<br />
to Ford.<br />
subscribe<br />
AND sAVe<br />
17%<br />
OFF THe rrP*<br />
*Based on savings<br />
for 12 issues<br />
New ZealaNd’s<br />
premier magaZiNe<br />
for lovers of<br />
yesterday’s cars<br />
classicdriver.co.nz<br />
0800 624 295